Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hoboken
In New Jersey, municipal refuse and recycling routes operate weekly. Your exact collection days are determined by your local borough or township.
State Mandate
The NJ Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires all residents to separate designated recyclables.
Any color (10-32 gallons recommended) Bin (Trash)
Must have a tight-fitting connected lid and weigh less than 50 lbs when full. No loose bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
Blue covered bins Bin (Recycling)
Commingled (glass/plastic/metal) on Monday; Paper/Cardboard on Thursday. Must be clean and dry. Use covered blue bins or clear bags if bins cannot fit your property.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics 1, 2, and 5
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastics 3, 4, 6, 7
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be tied in bundles or placed in paper bags. Picked up free at the Recycling Center. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Branches (tied)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly based on material type
Placement
Place at the curb after 7:30 PM (or after 9:00 PM for the Limited Business Area like Washington Street).
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Metal file cabinets
- ✓ Desks
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Propane tanks
Free for residents up to the municipal weight and size limits. No special tags are required.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling collections may shift during major holidays. Residents should consult the Hoboken Recycle Coach app for specific changes, as solid waste holidays often differ from street cleaning suspension days.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is normally scheduled for Thursday night pickup; if a major holiday falls on a Thursday (like Thanksgiving), collection is typically rescheduled.
While the city suspends alternate side parking for over a dozen holidays, garbage collection continues on many of these dates. Always verify via the city's digital schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Paper Recycling Bone Dry
Paper and cardboard are collected on Thursday nights. Do not place paper recycling out in the rain without a securely covered blue bin. Wet paper and cardboard cannot be processed and will be treated as trash.
Ditch the Plastic Bags on Mondays
When putting out your commingled recycling on Monday nights, do not bag the items in standard plastic grocery bags. They jam sorting machinery. Place cans, glass, and approved plastics loosely in your covered blue bin.
Styrofoam is Never Accepted
Even if your Styrofoam packaging or takeout container features a recycling triangle, it is not accepted in Hoboken's curbside recycling program. It must be thrown out with the regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryChristmas trees can be placed unbagged at the curb on Tuesday and Thursday nights after 7:30 PM (or 9 PM on Washington St). They are picked up early the following morning by a dedicated crew.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf collection season, ensure all yard waste is placed in biodegradable paper bags, not plastic. Free paper bags can be picked up at the Hoboken Recycling Center on Madison Street.
All Seasons
Year-roundDuring severe weather, including heavy snow or flooding, trash collection may be delayed. Always check the official Hoboken Recycle Coach app or city alerts for immediate suspension notices.
About Hoboken Waste Management
Hoboken's Strict Containerization Ordinance
To combat rodent issues, the City of Hoboken enforces a strict waste containerization ordinance. All residential and mixed-use properties with 10 or fewer units must store trash in containers with tight-fitting lids. Cali Carting, the city's hauler, requires these bins to weigh no more than 50 pounds when full. To avoid fines, residents are strongly encouraged to use 10 to 32-gallon bins. Loose trash bags are no longer permitted at the curb unless an exemption is granted due to severe space constraints.
Citywide vs. Limited Business Area Schedules
Hoboken's trash pickup times vary based on your neighborhood zone. For most citywide residential areas, bins must be placed curbside after 7:30 PM. However, if you reside in the Limited Business Area—which includes high-traffic zones like Washington Street, Newark Street, First Street, 14th Street, and Hudson Place—your items cannot be placed at the curb until after 9:00 PM. Fines can be issued for placing items out too early.
Navigating Bulk Trash and Mattress Disposal
Getting rid of large items in Hoboken requires knowing what materials you have. Non-metal furniture and mattresses are collected right alongside your regular garbage on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. In contrast, metal furniture and large household appliances are exclusively collected on Thursday nights. If you are disposing of an appliance like a refrigerator or oven, you must remove the doors for safety before placing it at the curb.
Hoboken's Zero Waste and Compost Initiatives
As part of its Climate Action Plan and Zero Waste Initiative, Hoboken has rapidly expanded its organic waste recycling program. The city now offers over a dozen free residential compost drop-off sites where you can dispose of food scraps. This diverts organic material from landfills and brings it to local farms where it is recycled into nutrient-rich soil. Residents can find their nearest drop-off point via the city's environmental resources portal.
E-Waste and Hazardous Materials Protocol
Electronic waste, including computers, televisions, and cell phones, cannot be thrown in the standard garbage. Hoboken schedules e-waste pickup specifically on Thursday nights for early Friday morning collection. For household hazardous waste—such as latex paint, turpentine, or pesticides—curbside pickup is prohibited. Instead, residents must utilize the bi-annual drop-off days coordinated by the Hudson County Improvement Authority.
Drop-off Facilities
Hoboken Recycling Center
1501 Madison St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for garbage cans in Hoboken?
Hoboken requires all trash to be placed in a container with a tight-fitting lid to mitigate rodents. Loose bags are not permitted. Bins must weigh less than 50 pounds when full, and the city strongly recommends using containers between 10 and 32 gallons.
When can I put my trash and recycling on the curb?
For most of the city, bins can be placed at the curb after 7:30 PM on your scheduled collection night. However, if you live in the Limited Business Area (such as Washington Street, Newark Street, or First Street), you must wait until after 9:00 PM.
How do I throw away a mattress or old couch in Hoboken?
Non-metal furniture, including mattresses and wooden couches, can be disposed of with your regular garbage on Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday nights. If the furniture is metal (like a desk or bed frame), it must be put out on Thursday night.
Where can I get a blue recycling bin or yard waste bags?
Residents can pick up blue, covered recycling bins and paper yard waste bags for free at the Hoboken Recycling Center, located at 1501 Madison Street. They are open weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM.